Understanding the JN.1 Variant: What You Need to Know As the holiday season approaches and millions of Americans prepare to gather, health officials are sounding the alarm about a new variant of COVID-19 that is rapidly spreading across the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified this variant, known as JN.1, as a variant of interest. Here are five crucial things you should know about this new variant. 1. What is JN.1? JN.1 is a descendant lineage of the subvariant BA.2.86, also known as Pirola. It was first detected in August and is believed to be related to BA.2.86, which has been associated with breakthrough infections. However, it is still unclear what potential JN.1 has to cause breakthrough infections. 2. Where has JN.1 been detected? JN.1 has been reported in 41 countries as of December 16, according to WHO’s risk assessment. France, the United States, Singapore, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Sweden have reported the highest rates of JN.1 cases. Globally, the number of reported JN.1 cases has been rapidly increasing. In October, JN.1 comprised around 3.3% of sequenced COVID cases, but that rate has now surpassed 27%. In the United States, JN.1 accounted for about 3.5% of sequenced COVID cases in early November, and current projections estimate that it now causes approximately 21% of COVID cases. However, another omicron subvariant, HV.1, is believed to be the dominant strain in the U.S. this month, accounting for 30% of sequenced cases. 3. What are the symptoms of JN.1? Currently, there are no distinct symptoms that differentiate JN.1 infections from other COVID cases. Common COVID symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. 4. Why are health officials concerned about JN.1? While WHO has given JN.1 an overall risk evaluation rating of “low,” there are still concerns. Health officials warn that JN.1 may have the potential to evade immunity from vaccines or previous infections. Additionally, JN.1 could contribute to an increased burden of respiratory infections, particularly in countries where winter is setting in. Over a dozen states in the U.S. are already experiencing high levels of respiratory virus activity. 5. How can you stay safe from JN.1? Despite the potential for JN.1 to evade immunity, current COVID vaccines are still effective in preventing severe disease and death from circulating variants. Therefore, it is crucial to get vaccinated and stay up to date with booster shots. In addition, continue practicing basic health and hygiene measures, such as frequent handwashing, to prevent the spread of COVID and other viruses. If you suspect that you have COVID or have tested positive, it is important to stay home and isolate. When gathering indoors, consider opening windows, using fans to improve air circulation, and regularly changing filters on your heating or air conditioning system. If possible, moving gatherings outdoors is recommended. As personal injury bloggers, we understand the importance of staying informed about new COVID variants and taking necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our communities. Let us all do our part to prioritize safety, follow public health guidelines, and support one another during these challenging times. Title: Understanding the JN.1 Variant: What You Need to Know Meta Description: Get the latest information on the new COVID-19 variant of interest, JN.1. Learn about its detection, symptoms, and how to stay safe. Tag: Personal Injury Featured Image: COVID Variant Awareness